DUNCAN JOHNSON'S BRUTAL ATTACK IN KIRKBY: MUM FIGHTS OFF KNIFE-WIELDING PAEDOPHILE AT WALTON ASDA

In April 2020, a terrifying incident unfolded in the Walton area of Liverpool, where a convicted paedophile, Duncan Johnson, attempted to carry out a violent robbery that could have resulted in a tragic abduction. The victim, Natalie Grimes, was in her car with her seven-year-old daughter when Johnson approached her, demanding her handbag and car keys in a brazen act of aggression.

Johnson's assault escalated rapidly as he grabbed Ms. Grimes by the throat, holding a sharp blade above her head in a threatening manner. Despite her desperate efforts to defend herself, he pressed the knife closer, threatening her with words that chilled her to the bone: "I will f***ing kill you." As he brought the blade down, it sliced through her coat, leaving her in a state of shock and fear. Her instinct was to protect her child, and she refused to relinquish the keys, fearing that Johnson's intentions extended beyond theft and that he might attempt to abduct her daughter.

Fortunately, Johnson's assault was interrupted when two vigilant men, who had witnessed the weapon and the commotion, intervened. They managed to wrestle him to the ground and held him until police arrived. Johnson was subsequently arrested outside a local store in the Walton district of Liverpool. His criminal history is extensive, with a record that includes 30 convictions over 128 previous offences. His criminal activities date back to his youth, beginning with an arson conviction in 1991, followed by a conviction for possessing an offensive weapon in 1995. In 2008, Johnson was sentenced to nine years in prison after he and accomplices stormed into the home of a 65-year-old man, stabbing him in the neck with a knife and stealing £1,600. His criminal record also includes a six-year sentence in 2015 for causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and for exposing a child to sexual acts.

During police interviews, Johnson, who resides on Kelday Close, Northwood, Kirkby, claimed he was chased without reason and that he had been threatened, which prompted him to try to hide. Despite this, he was identified in an identity parade, and after initially denying the charges, he eventually admitted to attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

At Liverpool Crown Court, the emotional impact of the attack was vividly conveyed through a victim personal statement read by prosecutor Iain Criddle. Ms. Grimes expressed her deep concern that her daughter, who witnessed the ordeal, might be permanently traumatised. She revealed that she has struggled with sleep, often waking up screaming, and has been prescribed sleeping tablets to cope with the trauma. Her neck pain from the attack has also required anti-inflammatory medication.

Ms. Grimes described her daughter's distress, noting that her young child, once a lively and cheerful girl, has become withdrawn and tearful. Teachers at her school have observed her changed behaviour, and she now follows her mother everywhere, even during mundane tasks like washing dishes. The child is haunted by fears that Johnson will return and harm them again. The mother recounted how her daughter cannot stop crying and is deeply affected by the incident at the Asda store on Sunday, March 15. The trauma has left her unable to care for her mother as she normally would, and she constantly looks over her shoulder, unable to forget the face and voice of her attacker.

In light of the evidence and the severity of his past crimes, Johnson was sentenced to six years in prison, with an extended three-year license period. The court's decision underscores the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses to the community. The incident has left a lasting scar on the victims, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals with a long history of violent and sexual offences.